The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-06-08
senator sherman's Indictment.

The point Of Senator Sherman's speech in
Illinois is that the elections throughout a
large part of the country have not been car
ried honestly. but for years by constant fraud
and in deliberate violation OF the laws of the
United States that a majority in the popular
branch Of Congress and in the electoral col
ege has been secured by these methods, and
that President elected by violation of law
now sits in the chair al Washington.
This is a grave charge, which infinitely
transoends in importance all questions re
garding the accuracy Of the civil service eX-
aminations, or the propriety Of certain APP
pointments or removals But the Senator
also shows that the President, who owes his
place to deliberate and persistent violations
Of law. has also been the first of all Ameri-
can Presidents to reward lawbroakers and
traitors by elevating great number Of them
10 high places of trust, and especially by Sc
lecting such persons in preference 70 all 9TH
ers TO represent this Nation in foreign lands.
The disgrace thus brought upon the Ameri-
can name could hardly be regarded with IN
difference by loyal citizen, and yet it is a
matter of far less consequence than the De
Gberate encouragement given 10 those who
resist and defy the laws of the United States,
even to this day, by the appointment Of such
persons to places Of large responsibility.
When lawbreakers are deliberately selected
10 enforce the law. the conclusion IS irresist-
lille that the Government means, If it can, to
break down and defeat the laws by which IT
is rightfully bound. Thus, the selection of
men ike Garland-themselves active partici-
pants in the overthrow of self-govemmenti in
Southern States-to enforce laws Of the
United States designed 20 secure freedom Of
elections and honesty in counting the votes
constitutes the strongest possible encourage
ment to repetition Of the crime by which the
election OF President Cleveland was made
possible.
II the people of this country were careful
Of their own honor, if they were careful Of
the interests Of the nation, if they were care
ful 10 preserve republican institutions for
their children. they would consider this ar
raw OF facts with the deepest solicitude. They
would feel that no other question could be
more important than to determine whether
this grave charge is true, and if true, how a
repetition of 80 dangerous crime i to be
avoided. Clearly the time must come when
elections by the people viii cease to be ac-
cepted as representing the will of the people,
if such offences meet consent and open re-
ward from those in office Clearly all discus
sion of other questions. relating to the selec-
ton Of minor officials, or to details of pub
lie policy. domestic or foreign. becomes of
trihing importance when it is considered
that no decision which the people may
reach. after ever so much serious discussion
can be expected to control their Government
if a small number of audaeious lawbreakers
please to defy the laws and the viii Of the
people, and TO count in tools of their own.
Yet it is the fact obvious to all men, that
large body of citizens meets this grave
( charge with no serious defence with no at
tempt to controvert the facts, with no denial
of the gravity Of the issue, but simply with
sneers about "the bloody shirt II is for
the people to determine whether they wish
a question OF such importance put aside by
sneers which in effect confess the truth of
the charge and the impossibility of meeting
it in any other way.--Nor York Tribune.